Lokomotiv 0 Zenit 3. Not much to say about the match. Lokomotiv started well, Zenit scored a debatable goal, Torbinsky got himself sent off and then Zenit cruised to a comfortable win, which actually could have been by an even bigger margin. What's happening to Lokomotiv, a club which not only did wonders in Russia but made a name for Russia in European competitions by being more than a worthy opponents for the likes of Real Madrid, Inter, Milan and Barcelona amongst others? While it's clear that the players are unmotivated and Semin look resigned, personally the blame is solely of those in the boardroom. While Rubin, Zenit, Spartak and CSKA strenghten the squad with expensive players, Lokomotiv have only been busy to sell a player or two. Apparently, this have infuriated Semin who for the first time, yesterday he publically criticized Olga Smorodskaya way of doing. This is because according to the legendary manager, both Odemwingie and Ignatiev were sold without his knowledge. So Mrs/Ms (truly I don't care), is this your way of managing? Is this your way of treating someone who knows the club more than anyone else? Is this the manner of treating someone who actually it is thanks to him that you have your position? Do you know that if it wasn't for Semin the club WOULD HAVE NEVER reached these heights? Anyways, do you know that the football is round in the first place? I have my doubts.
The icing on the cake of all this circus was that that according to the old lady the reason why Lokomotiv haven't signed anyone is because in winter 11 players joined the club. While it's true that 11 players joind the club, this figure includes young players such as Mirzaev and Ozdoev, who although they are undoubted talents it is obvious that they still have much to learn before playing for the main team. This is absurd. In poor words according to her, Semin must make use of those inexperienced duo against the like of starstudded Zenit, Rubin and CSKA. Outrageuos! In addition, her handling of the media, the club matters and everything else are appaling to say the least. Saying that Semin has health problems is something that can only come out from cowards. What's she's trying to do? To picture herself as caring for our trainer's health? Oh give me a break. It's utterly depressing to see such a disgraceful and shameless figure at the helm of our beloved club. What's her real mission? Few have suggested that her goal is to find some investors who are willing to invest in the club as the Russian Railways are looking to reduce funds as early as from next season. What does this may mean? Another FC Moscow? God forbid. Moreover, should our beloved club change owners, may does this mean that the name of the club will be changed? I mean such as when SV Austria Salzburg was bought by Red Bull? We can only hope otherwise.
Although for sure off-field concerns should concern us as they are negatively effecting Lokomotiv, I believe that the main current concern should be to steady a sinking ship. Given that now the registration period of the Russian Premier League is closed, I believe that it's useless to sack Semin and appoint a new coach. Anyone who watched the match yesterday would agree with me that virtually Lokomotiv played with no strikers as for the most of the time both Sychev and Maicon were on the flanks (and Semin played a 4-4-2 formation!). So what Semin can do if that cunt did her best to do anything but satisfy Semin? Can Semin bring Aleksandr Minchenkov back? Can be a good option. Although he is no Milevskiy I am adamant that he can't do worse than Traore. Moreover the youngster is a striker and not an out-and-out forward such as Sychev. What about Poloz? To say the truth, as Semin himself conceeded I will be expecting that a youngster or two make it to the initial line-up, and rightly so.
With regards to yesterday's match, as already said Lokomotiv started brightly - but unfortunately soon as Zenit opened the score Lokomotiv somewhat faded. Although the result won't change it's a must to that Zenit's goal came from a debatable circumstance, with the referee being the main culprit. Basha fouled Bukharov just outside of the box and as the referee went on to explain to the Loko defenders, Zenit took the freekick quickly and Danny delivered home. While Zenit did well to exploit Loko's lack of concentration, the blame was all on the referee as he should have pointed to his whistle, that is that Zenit can't take the freekick before the same judge whistles. Luck has truly deserted us! Lokomotiv tried to respond but couldn't manage to severily trouble Malafeev and co and thus the half-time score was 1-0 for the visitors. For the second half, Semin tried to inject some creativity and thus sent Wagner on pitch. The move seemed to have paid dividents immediately as Loko started to link up a little better than before. Nevertheless, in yet another strike of misfortune, when Loko seemed to have found some rythym Torbinsky foolishly lunged onto a Zenit player and rightly was given his marching orders. From then on it was all Zenit and eventually the St. Peterburgers cruised to a three-nil victory.
Something mandatory to report is the support Yury Semin received from the home supporters throughout the whole match. The support reached it's high point when Zenit scored the third goal as the fans started to chant against Olga Smorodskaya and in favour of the legendary coach. Don't know how come the Board of Directors are going to let such detail escape. Do they know that if they sack Semin the crowds will fall more than they have fell? Pathetic.
Player Ratings:
Whole Team - 5
It's useless to rate the players as practically they all failed to perform yesterday. While Torbinsky was the worse as he directly conditioned the match, I believe that the best performer yesterday was Basha. It's true that Loko shipped in 3 goals but in my opinion yesterday the big Montenegrin had the best performance of the season as on various occations his timing and tackling were near perfection. On the other hand, apart of Torbinsky the other disastrous performers were Yanbaev and Sychev.
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